Bead & Fiber Babe!

Sunday, June 03, 2012

Hello, June!

Despite my general dislike of gyms, I decided to step things up a bit, join a gym, and get some personal training! So, my June goal is related to that.

1. Weight train three times a week
2. Cardio two times a week
3. Review progress at the end of the month and assess whether to continue the plan as-is, modify it, or drop it

So, if I don't like gyms, why did I join? Well, I thought back to when I was in very good cardiovascular shape about 10 years ago, and I was stopped right in my tracks by injuries. I had great endurance, but obviously did not have enough strength to sustain all the punishment I put my body through. I not only want my heart and lungs to be strong, but my body, too.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

May Update

Well, I finally got started with a big project I had planned, which was to try and organize the crazy cord-tangle behind the media center. It's amazing how many different things need to be plugged into each other, and how many outlets you need to take care of them all! I think I require 12 outlets for everything, which is just mind-boggling, isn't it?

Anyway, I am almost done with the project, but I have to say I don't think it looks all THAT much better. Part of my reasoning behind doing it is if my apartment ever floods, I want my electronics to be safe. And yes, it IS a possibility... water heaters around the building keep exploding, and the guy above me doesn't feel like replacing his until: 1. he cleans his messy apartment; and 2. The guy above HIM agrees to do it, too.

Weak excuses, if you ask me.

But I digress.

Anyway, I will post pics of the before and after, once everything is all squared away.

In health related news, I went to the doctor for allergy testing. Turns out, the only things I'm allergic to is cats and dogs. The "cat spot" EXPLODED with a rash and a gross subcutaneous blistery thing almost immediately. I said, "Is that the cat spot?" and indeed it was. The "dog spot" also had quite a reaction, despite the fact that dogs don't seem to bother me in real life. Go figure.

Up next is the sleep study. I will be extremely interested to see how that goes.

Okay, people, I totally failed on this goal. I got a good start with the kitchen, got about 3/4 of the way through the cabinets, and then my kitchen sink exploded and got clogged and I couldn't use the kitchen for 3 days. Plus, let's face it... I really don't care for cleaning at all. :P

Since I'm already 1/3 of the way through May, I have decided to use the next few weeks for a halfhearted attempt to work more on April's goal, then I'll reassess. To be clear, I'll probably only focus on #1 and #4. So there.

Monday, April 02, 2012

A new month is upon us! That means it's time to wrap up and review my goal for March. If you need a refresher, the March plan was:

1. Track food and exercise on My Fitness Pal every day during the month of March.2. Assess utility of this plan at the end of the month and decide whether or not to continue.

For #1, I was successful. I logged my food and exercise onto My Fitness Pal every day for the month of March.

For #2, I would have to say that this plan was extremely useful. I lost some weight, and have definitely adjusted to eating a bit less than I was before.

I will definitely keep it up and continue using My Fitness Pal into the foreseeable future.

And now onto April!

I have a goal for April, but I am SERIOUSLY not looking forward to it. The goal for April?

SPRING CLEANING.

Just shoot me now. I hate cleaning. So. Very. Much. I especially hate this month's plan, because I am going to include the loathsome process of putting some things up for sale on Ebay and other places. I think I'd rather get clocked in the shin with a golf club.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Halfway Through March

Well, seeing as it's halfway through the month, I figured it would be a good time to post and share the update. My March goal of utilizing My Fitness Pal to track diet and exercise is going well so far. The first week was kind of rough as I got used to eating a smaller volume of food... I was so hungry for a few days! Now, I have adjusted nicely to eating a little less. I plan it so I have lots of snacks throughout the day, and never feel hungry.

I have also been exercising regularly, but it is still a little bit of a mental fight with myself to go ahead and do it. I'm just so tired all the time!

Speaking of which, I did bring it up to my doctor. She ordered some bloodwork to make sure it's not my thyroid or something. I've gotten myself on as good a sleep schedule as I can manage, I've been exercising regularly for 2 1/2 months, and my diet has improved drastically over the past couple of weeks. I'm tired even after getting what should be a "good" night's sleep. My doctor is considering ordering a sleep study for me. I have such a hard time sleeping in a strange bed, though... I'm skeptical that they'd get usable results.

But back to the original topic: I've been doing a good job of watching what I eat, and have managed to lose a few pounds so far. I"m optimistic that this trend will continue. However, LOSING weight, while not EASY, is a whole lot easier than KEEPING it off. The true challenge for me will begin once I have reached my weight loss goal. I guess I'll just have to wait and see... let's face it, 95% of people who lose weight gain it back, so the statistics are not in my favor. I don't have to worry about that for a good 6+ months, though!

And jumping back to My Fitness Pal itself: I really like the site/ app. It's got every food in it, including some foods from chain restaurants. It's easy and intuitive to enter foods and recipes. There are groups and message boards if you need extra support or if you're a social person who likes to chat with people. I definitely recommend it!

Monday, March 05, 2012

Monday afternoon update

Well, today marks the one week point for my latest goal. I started tracking stuff on My Fitness Pal last Monday, and weighed in this morning. I am pleased to announce that I did indeed lose some weight, and that I didn't find it overly cumbersome or difficult to enter in my recipes and foods throughout the week.

I also posted on Facebook for anyone who also uses MFP to "friend" me so we can check in and encourage each other. I was surprised to get a response from my brother... who knew that he uses it, too? I guess that speaks well for the program, since he tends to do a lot of research before signing up for/ utilizing tools like that. Anyway, if you are also on MFP, my username is amandammmq. Find me and we can be pals!